By Sriparna Roy (Reuters) -Measles cases in Texas rose 3% to 683 over three days, the state's health department reported on Friday, as nationwide cases of the childhood disease approach the 1,000-mark.

Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. The number of cases reported in Texas' historic measles outbreak has risen to 683 cases in 29 counties,

The measles outbreak centered in northwest Texas grew to 683 cases and spread to three new counties on Friday, according to health officials. The latest update from the Texas Department of State Health Services adds 20 new cases since the agency’s last update on Tuesday.